Lachlan and Callum Howard play for the Hunter Academy of Sport

After months of training, Lachlan and Callum Howard were both picked to play in the Hunter Academy of Sport (HAS) hockey team.

The Gloucester brothers started training with the squad late last year for a spot in a final team of 15; both were chosen as subs for the nine a side format game.

All of their training was put to the test during the 2017 ClubsNSW Academy Games held in Wyong on April 8 and 9, which showcased the states best emerging athletes across nine sports including Basketball, Golf, Hockey, Netball, Rugby Sevens, Softball, Tenpin Bowling,Triathlon and a Surfing exhibition.

It’s an initiative of the Regional Academies of Sport New South Wales Incorporated (RASi) supported by principle partner ClubsNSW.

The competition saw approximately 900 athletes, coaches and team officials from 11 NSW Academies and invited interstate Academies.

Lachlan and Callum played four matches with the HAS, as well as subbing in for the Northern Inland Squad, who were down a few players.

HAS finished the competition as the overall winners.

Callum will be automatically given a spot in the training squad next year, while Lachlan will have to move on due to his age; his hope is to play for the team at the university he attends.

Their training over the past few months was about more than just learning to play hockey, Lachlan explained.

“It was about being a better player,” he said.

They learned about health and wellbeing, learning to play as a team and becoming an overall good citizen.

“I learnt to back myself with my decisions,” Lachlan said.

Helping to build his confidence making him a more well rounded player.

“It was a really good experience,” Callum said.

The brothers will be continuing the season playing for the Gloucester Panthers in the Manning Valley Competition which is already underway.

This year they are taking part in Division Two, a step up from last year.

Both feel the recent training and competition has better prepared them for the higher division, which is played faster than C grade.

Panthers next game is against the Sharks on Saturday, April 22 at 6pm in Taree.